Stoke seals shootout win as Pelach watches on
New Stoke City manager Narcis Pelach watched from the stands as caretaker bosses Alex Morris and Ryan Shawcross saw the Potters through a tricky Carabao Cup third-round tie, winning a penalty shootout 2-1 against Fleetwood Town after the sides drew 1-1 after 90 minutes.
After a goalless first period in which the hosts hit the frame of the goal twice, the Potters finally went ahead in the 54th minute when Michael Rose headed home at the far point from a corner.
It was a lead the EFL Championship side would maintain as its EFL League Two opponent wasted a string of opportunties and had a goal disallowed for offside.
But as the contest moved into the 90th minute, Rhys Bennett scored from a Fleetwood corner routine, and the match went to penalties.
Fleetwood's form from the spot was little better than it had been during the match as Viktor Johansson saved the visitors' first two spot-kicks, but Stoke also missed its first.
Sol Sidibe and Emra Tezgal steadied the ship with sucessful efforts, however, as Fleetwood spurned four from five of its own, allowing the Potters to move through to the fourth round.
